Departing Superintendent Reflects on Weymouth Tenure

Weymouth, MA —In about a week, Superintendent Kenneth Salim will report to work in Weymouth for the last time. With a new job in Cambridge lined up, the Weymouth superintendent of schools said goodbye during Thursday night’s School Committee meeting.

“These past four years have certainly been the most professionally awarding of my career and ones that have been productive. I am proud of the work the district was able to do,” Salim said.

Salim came to Weymouth in 2012, succeeded the late Mary Jo Livingstone who passed away in April 2013. Prior, he was an administrator in the Boston Public Schools.

During his remarks, Salim, for the first time, told the committee that while he was interviewing for the position he drove to Weymouth on a weekend for breakfast and to ask residents about the town.

“I learned a lot from people about the pride that people have in the community and the long-standing traditions,” he said.

Salim took the time to thank several members of the community and reflect on his accomplishments, calling his departure bittersweet.

“It’s such an exciting time for the Weymouth schools and the Weymouth community. A lot of coverage has been written and shown around the budget process and the collaborations that have taken place. A corner has been turned. The Chapman project is tremendously exciting not just for the schools but the entire community,” he said.

From the town and the committee, Salim received several gifts including a tile recognizing his accomplishments and a print of the Weymouth Fourth of July picnic.

“As you’ve alluded to, you have brought much to Weymouth and we are thankful for that and what you’ve left us with. You brought us fresh perspectives, new ideas, and new goals on a broad and expansive level,” Chairperson Lisa Belmarsh said.

Salim’s last day in Weymouth is June 30. The next day, he starts at the superintendent of the Cambridge Public Schools.